S Badrinath names Hardik Pandya new CSK captain – S Badrinath Suggests Hardik Pandya as Future CSK Captain

Elias Chawla · 28/05/2026 · 4 min read

A Bold Vision for the Yellow Army

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is reaching its fever pitch as the tournament nears its grand conclusion. With the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) already securing their spot as the first finalist, the anticipation surrounding the league has never been higher. However, while the current season is still in its final stages, the talk of the cricketing world has already shifted toward the upcoming auction and trade windows. Among the most discussed names is Hardik Pandya, and a recent suggestion from former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath has added fuel to the fire.

The Proposed Trade Mechanics

Badrinath has proposed a sensational trade scenario that would see the star all-rounder move from the Mumbai Indians (MI) to the Chennai Super Kings. According to the former batter, the trade would involve CSK parting ways with Shivam Dube and Ayush Mhatre to secure Pandya’s services. Badrinath believes this move could reshape the landscape of the franchise, creating a core trio consisting of Sanju Samson, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Hardik Pandya.

“If I am MI, I would trade Hardik for Shivam Dube and Ayush Mhatre from CSK,” Badrinath stated. He believes such a combination would elevate the CSK brand to an entirely different level, providing the team with unparalleled balance and depth.

Leadership and the Dhoni Connection

Perhaps the most intriguing part of Badrinath’s suggestion is the prospect of Hardik Pandya taking over the captaincy at CSK. Despite the presence of other established leaders, Badrinath argues that Pandya’s relationship with MS Dhoni makes him a unique candidate for the role. He suggests that if Pandya specifically desires the captaincy, CSK is the ideal environment to foster his leadership skills and public image.

“There is also no set rule that Samson has to be made the CSK captain. If Hardik demands captaincy, I would make him CSK’s captain because of his excellent relationship with MS Dhoni,” Badrinath added. He emphasized that the CSK culture has a proven track record of enhancing a player’s legacy and image, which could be the fresh start Pandya needs.

The Mumbai Indians Dilemma

Hardik Pandya’s second stint with the Mumbai Indians has been turbulent. Since taking over the captaincy in 2024, the franchise has struggled to find its rhythm. After a successful tenure at the Gujarat Titans, where he led the team to two consecutive finals, Pandya’s transition back to Mumbai saw the team finish at the bottom of the table in his first season back. Despite managing to reach the playoffs in the subsequent season, the team’s performance dipped again, finishing 9th in the most recent league table.

Statistically, Pandya’s tenure as MI captain has been challenging, with an overall win percentage of approximately 42%. Across 33 matches, he has recorded 14 victories and 19 defeats. Furthermore, his personal form has been inconsistent; in the most recent season, he struggled with both bat and ball, recording an economy rate of 11.42 and an average under 23 across 10 appearances.

Moving Toward a New Chapter

Badrinath remains convinced that the Mumbai Indians have a strong enough foundation to succeed regardless of Pandya’s presence. He advocates for a change in leadership, suggesting that MI should look toward players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, or Tilak Varma to lead the side into the future.

Reflecting on the internal dynamics of the Mumbai Indians, Badrinath noted, “The way Hardik came to MI from GT and became captain is one of the main reasons why MI should trade Hardik Pandya. Rohit Sharma has played for 15 years and won you five titles and is the darling of Mumbai. Ever since Hardik replaced him as captain, something has not been right with MI.”

Ultimately, the argument presented is that while Pandya remains a talented cricketer with several excellent seasons ahead of him, the current team dynamics in Mumbai may have reached an impasse. Whether this trade will materialize remains a topic of intense speculation among fans and analysts alike as the IPL 2026 offseason begins to take shape.

Elias Chawla

Elias Chawla is a senior sports journalist for ESPN India, specialising in women's cricket, domestic circuits, and the intersection of governance and talent development. With a rare ability to find compelling narratives in India's sprawling age-group and university cricket systems, Chawla has broken several stories on the challenges and triumphs of female cricketers in South Asia. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, he writes with clarity and conviction, often calling for greater parity and investment in the women's game. His work has been featured in ESPNcricinfo, The Cricket Monthly, and Wisden India. Whether profiling the next U-19 star or dissecting BCCI policy, Chawla brings a grassroots-first perspective to every piece.